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General
Information
Air : 957.969 sq.km.
Altitude : Between 1,300mt. and 6,315mt.
The Govind
Wildlife Sanctuary, situated in the Uttarkashi district of Uttararanchal,
was established on 1st March, 1955. It spreads over an area of 957.969
sq. kms. and the altitude varies from 1300 mts. to 6323 mts. The average
annual precipitation
varies from 1000 to 1500 mm., most of which occurs as monsoon rains
(July to Sept.). The entire area of the sanctuary is subjected to light
to heavy snowfall. The sanctuary forms the upper catchment of the Tons
river, which is the most important tributory of River Yamuna in its
upper reaches. Thus the area has a significant value as a major
watershed for River Yamuna, which is a very important river for the Indo
Gangetic plains. The area is home for a lot of endangered animals and
its large area along with the contiguous forests of the neighbouring
forest divisions helps in maintaining genetic diversity. The area is
very rich in medicinal plants, many of which form the basis for certain
life saving drugs. The scenic beauty of the area is unmatched. The Snow
Leopard inhabits the inner Himalayas above the altitude of 3500 mts.
With the onslaught on the habitat by man its number has dwindled
considerably making it a highly endangered species. In the Eighth Plan,
the Govt. of India launched the Snow Leopard Project for the long term
conservation of this elusive cat. An expert team indentified sites
throughout the Himalayas to implement this project and Govind Wildlife
Sanctuary was indentified as one of such sites. To further improve the
protection of this rare animal, the upper reaches (the Snow Leopard
habitat) of the sanctuary were intentionally notified as a National
Park, which covers an area of 472.08 sq. kms.
Approach
and Location :
The Govind
Wildlife Sanctuary is located between 35*55 and 31*17’30
latitude and 77*47’ 30 and 78*37’ 30 longitude in Purola tehsil of
Uttarakashi district of Uttaranchal. Naitwar, the entrance and starting
point of the sanctuary is approachable on a metalled all weather road.
It is at a distance of 200 kms. From Dehradun. It can also be approached
from Delhi by taking a 65 kms. long bifurcation from Naugaon situated on
the Delhi Yamunotri state highway. Daily bus service exists between
Dehradun and Naitwar.
Wildlife :
Over 15 species of mammals and 150 species of birds
exists in the sanctuary. The important mammals are Snow leopard, Black
bear, Brown bear, Musk deer, Bharal, Himalayan Thar, Serow and Common
leopard.
The endangered
birds found in the area are Monal pheasant, Koklas pheasant, Western
Tragopan, Himalayan Snow cock, Golden eagle, Steppe eagle, Black eagle
and Bearded vulture. Other important bird groups are pigeons, parakeets,
cuckoos, owls, minivets, bulbuls, tits, warblers, thrushes, finches,
buntings, etc.
As in other areas
of the Himalayas, owing to low density and rugged terrain, the animal
sightings are very poor.
The Ruinsara catchment has been an important area for high altitude
expeditions to peaks like Black Peak and Banderpunch.
Har-ki-Doon,
Ruinsaratal, Deokyara, Kedarkantha and Bhratsar are important places of
attraction for the tourists. Swargarohini, Black Peak and Banderpunch
are the important peaks in the area.
The period from April to June and September to November is suitable for
visiting the area.
Accessibility
:
Air : The nearest airport is Jolly Grant, Dehradun,
231kms.
Road : Accessible by road via Rishikesh-Uttarkashi or via
Mussoorie- Purola- Saur. Bus services are available from Uttarkashi,
Barkot Dehradun, Naitwar to Saur-Sankri.
Rail : The nearest railhead is Dehradun, 207 kms
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